Extra Chapter: Rentarou's Perspective on Kawaru / Ch 1 & 2

"Hey, check it out, Rentarou! This stick’s just the right length, don’t you think?"

"Yeah, might be handy to have around!"

"Right, right? Okay… I’ll hide this here… and—"

From Rentarou Aijou’s perspective, Seibetsu Kawaru was a "guy" who was his friend. No matter the situation, his expressions shifted like flipping a switch, and despite being about to graduate middle school, he was still a childish, excitable guy.

His excitement wasn’t the problem—it was how ridiculously frail he was. His stamina was practically nonexistent, making things like the shuttle run or a 2000-meter race completely out of the question. Frankly, he was hopeless at sports. On top of that, he got hurt all the time. Tripping daily was just the beginning. Even walking around his own house, he’d bump into things, so every piece of furniture in his place was padded with baby-proof corner cushions.

This weakling had faced life-threatening danger more than once or twice—hell, I’d lost count of how many times I’d saved him. Dozens? Hundreds? It was insane. Sure, part of it was his frailty, but more than that… he just never stopped to consider the risks. He had to know he couldn’t handle things alone, yet he never held back.

I tried talking sense into him a few times, but it never got through. No matter what, he wasn’t changing his ways. Maybe something drastic could shift his mindset, but that wasn’t happening anytime soon. Frustrating as it was, all I could do was keep protecting him like always. That’s what I thought, anyway.

After starting high school, my life got way more chaotic. After all those failed confessions, I somehow ended up with five girlfriends. But there was one thing nagging at me—Seibetsu caught the flu. I wanted to help, but if even trying to take care of him would just wear him out from resisting, there was nothing I could do. He eventually recovered, but between make-up classes and everything else, we barely had time together, and the distance between us started growing.

If this kept up, we might stop seeing each other altogether. That fear pushed me to create more chances to talk, so I called Seibetsu up to the rooftop and introduced him to my girlfriends. Surprisingly, they got along fine, but Seibetsu acted like he was intruding and tried to leave immediately. I’d gone through the trouble of getting their approval to invite him—couldn’t he at least stay a little longer?

Maybe he sensed how I felt, or maybe it was just coincidence—but then Senpai brought up the experiment. Long story short, I ended up taking that "Become a Girl" drug. Unlike Seibetsu, who barely changed, my bangs grew so long I couldn’t see. After gulping down the antidote and finally clearing my vision, the moment I saw him—

A shock ran through my body.

It couldn’t be. Him—my "fated one"? But I’d been looking into those eyes all this time without a second thought. My scrambled brain barely registered him bolting away. Wait. If he runs like that, he’ll trip. Ignoring my worry, Seibetsu went flying down the stairs. Stop. Just stop. I didn’t understand what was happening either—it was terrifying. But don’t go far.

"Wait, Seibetsu!"

"No! I won’t! I—I…! I don’t wanna fall for you—!"

His rejection hit hard. For a second, I didn’t get what "fall" meant—but then I remembered. Right. It was from one of those books he’d practically forced on me—no, lent to me. The nuance fit. In other words, he was saying he didn’t want to like me. My legs almost locked up.

Memories of past misunderstandings and rejections flashed through my mind. If I pushed any closer, would he start hating me? But the thought vanished under the weight of all our good times. We’d spent so much time together. There had to be a reason behind his words. Normally, I’d pick up on his feelings, but with both of us panicking, I couldn’t hear a thing. He’s just as lost as I am. Maybe that’s why he blurted it out.

Excuses flooded my head—I don’t want to get rejected again, I don’t want to lose my friend—but no. No, Rentarou, that’s not it! What mattered now was Seibetsu’s safety. He’d just sprinted down the stairs. At his stamina, he could collapse any second. If he tripped, he’d be seriously hurt. Liking or not liking can wait. Right now, I have to save him.

I forced my stiff legs to move, rushing down the stairs—only to find him wobbling, barely staying upright. Thank god. He’s okay. But he still wouldn’t stop, still trying to escape. I called out and grabbed him to steady him.

"Seibetsu!"

"Huff…! Huff…!"

Pushing himself this hard—what if he’d collapsed? What if he’d fallen down the stairs?

"Ugh… hack…! Huff…!"

"Seibetsu, you’ve got no stamina! Stop overdoing it!"

"Ugh… nngh…"

I leaned in to check if he was okay—and there it was. That same face I knew, even through the pain. Not a look of disgust, not outright rejection. Just the expression he made when his brain short-circuited and he couldn’t sort his thoughts. God, the way his emotions plastered themselves on his face like this was kinda cute.

…Right. If that feeling earlier was real, then Seibetsu’s my fated one. Guess I’ve been falling for him without realizing it. But it doesn’t feel like something new—more like something I already liked just got even better.

The difference, though… is the way his body feels—Huh?! What the hell?! He’s the same Seibetsu, but totally different! That slight stiffness he used to have… it’s gone, replaced by this crazy softness… and his hair, his skin—they smell sweet and fresh, like something light and floral—Gah!

N-no, that’s not it! I’m not thinking anything weird! I’m just—just pointing out the objective changes! And if I don’t hold him still, he’ll push himself too hard again! Cool it, Rentarou. Stay pure… keep your mind pure. Who was I even justifying myself to? I screamed it in my head anyway.

"Calm down, Seibetsu! Senpai brought the antidote, so—"

"Let go of—… huh?"

First, I had to stabilize this mess. I shoved my weird thoughts aside and steered the conversation to the antidote. Wait, had Seibetsu forgotten about it? But chugging the medicine didn’t wrap things up neatly. (I’ll skip the part where my heart nearly exploded trying to get him to drink it in our usual dynamic.) The problem? Even after drinking it… Seibetsu didn’t revert. Not to his old self. Not to his old… gender.

Was he stuck like this forever? Clinging to a sliver of hope, we headed to the shrine. The trip was a minefield of near-mishaps, but I kept my cool. Good job, me. If something had happened back there, it’d have been game over.

At the shrine, the god’s explanation left me furious. Not just for me—for Seibetsu. That so-called "Birth God" was unforgivable. Seibetsu tried to calm me down, but he was the one who deserved to rage the most.

Oh, and turns out the whole "past-life memories" thing was real. I apologized properly. I’d brushed it off as nonsense—way too absurd, even for us.

As my anger slowly settled, another emotion swelled in its place. No, scratch that—it’d been growing this whole time. I’d tried burying it under other feelings, but the lid was about to blow.

My eyes kept drifting to him. If I let my guard down, the words would spill out: "I love you." It wasn’t about his old gender or anything. But saying it might make him hate me. That’s what I couldn’t stand. Sure, the trauma of past rejections terrified me—but worse than that was the thought of losing him. Of Seibetsu Kawaru walking away.

"………Rentarou."

"Ah—! Y-yeah? What’s up, Seibetsu…?"

I could say it here. Make him my girlfriend. The god said if fated pairs don’t unite, they’ll die. Seibetsu knew about the "fated one" part—but not the death part. I could use that. But… I hated that idea.

"…Aijou. Rentarou."

"—!"

What’s with that look, Seibetsu? Suddenly locking eyes with me like that—flustered, like he’s trying to say something. It’s not like him. Like he’s barely holding back, letting fragments slip.

"Look, reasons aside… I’m stuck like this. Full-on girl now. No going back. So… I’m kinda… scared? About the future. Having someone reliable beside me would… help. Or whatever."

"………"

Ah. So that’s it. You too, huh? Relief almost made me slump, but I held firm. He’s trying to say it—I’ll hear him out to the end—

"—Scratch that! Who am I kidding with the preamble?! Hey, Rentarou! You know what I’m getting at, right?! Tried to sound cool, but… I can’t do this alone. So let’s say it together, yeah? On three. Please."

…Typical Seibetsu. Yeah, I do know. I feel it too. Our hearts finally synced. I steel myself—just a little—and wedge in one last question. (We both knew the answer anyway.)

"You’re not gonna reject me like last time, are you—?!"

"Would I be starting this if I was?! Ready? Three, two, one—!"

Ah. For a second, I thought I’d lost you. But you came back. My friend, who seemed so far away, returned to me—as a girl.

"Aijou Rentarou!"

"Seibetsu Kawaru!"

And now—as my fated one. I won’t let you go anywhere. Because if I take my eyes off you, you’ll dive headfirst into danger. Because without you, life feels dull.

"Will you…"

"Will you…"

There’s still darkness in your heart. Darkness I haven’t saved you from yet. As just a friend, I couldn’t cross that line—couldn’t reach you. But this time, I will save you. As your boyfriend, and as whatever comes after!

""Go out with me!""

And just like that, we became lovers—who stayed best friends.

From Rentarou Aijou’s perspective, Seibetsu Kawaru—the "girl"—was now his best friend and girlfriend. Still flipping emotions on a dime, still childish and excitable despite being in high school. Cute. Adorable. Mine.

Whether she’s barging in with that same troublemaker energy or clinging to me with lover’s sweetness…

She’s the person I love most in this world.

(No, really— most. Don’t make me say it louder.)